Researchers found some of the most popular brands stocked in department stores contain isophorone, a category 2 carcinogen, phenol, which can mutate genes, and cyclohexanone, a toxic compound that can irritate the skin and organs.

Both give the product its pungent plastic smell.

But that is the danger: children can become infected simply by smelling the arm bands' rubbery odor. The more pungent the smell, the higher the risk.

The German researchers warn this also holds true for other strong-smelling products such as inflatable beach balls and bathing rings.

Researchers found some of the most popular brands stocked in department stores contain isophorone, a category 2 carcinogen, phenol, which can mutate genes, and cyclohexanone, a toxic compound that can irritate the skin and organs

CHEMICALS FOUND IN ARM BANDS

Cyclohexanone can be harmful if inhaled.

Phenol has been shown to affect hormone balance and affect genes in a way that could fuel tumor growth.

Isophorone is a category 2 carcinogen, which means that this is a suspect substance in the development of cancer in humans.

Lead author Christoph Wiedmer, of the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Germany, conducted tests using an inflatable beach ball, a pair of swimming armbands and two bathing rings they bought off the shelf from local stores and online suppliers in Germany.

A small piece of material from each sample was analysed using a variety of material analysis techniques.

The researchers then investigated the molecular make-up of the distinctive smells arising from the pool toys.

They extracted detectable odors from each sample using solvent extraction and high vacuum distillation methods, and then identified the main odorants using a combination of sensory and common analytical approaches.

Between 32 and 46 odors were detected in each sample, of which up to thirteen were quite intense.

Among these were several standard carbonyl compounds, which are harmless.

However, they also found many dangerous organic solvents such as cyclohexanone, isophorone, and phenol.

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Wiedmer warned these chemical could pose a risk to children's health, depending on the degree of exposure and concentration levels in the products.

Cyclohexanone can be harmful if inhaled.

Phenol has been shown to affect hormone balance and affect genes in a way that could fuel tumor growth.

Isophorone is a category 2 carcinogen, which means that this is a suspect substance in the development of cancer in humans.

Wiedmer said he hopes the study will inspire producers and consumers to take a closer look at how inflatable products are made.

'Modern products such as toys and children's products are sourced from a wide variety of chemical and physical manufacturing processes, and this complexity often makes it difficult for us to identify those containing contaminants and unwanted substances, and to determine their causes,' Wiedmer said.

'However, we found that in a number of cases our noses can guide us to 'sniff out' problematic products.'